Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced five local fire departments and companies will receive a total of $862,914 in 2005 Department of Homeland Security funding in the first round of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP).

“These grants will be a tremendous help to our Erie County fire and volunteer fire departments,” said Congressman Higgins. “Our brave men and women—our first responders—put their lives on the line on a daily basis, protect the people of Erie County, and are most deserving of these grants. I will continue to fight in Congress for increased funding for our firefighters and first responders.”

The following fire departments will be receiving funding from the AFGP:

The above five companies were awarded funding for the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. This program includes training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities. In March of this year, Congressman Higgins’ office held a fire grant workshop at the Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department, where assistance was given to local fire departments in completing grant applications for this AFGP funding.

The 2005 program, which Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, includes $650 million in direct assistance to firefighters to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs throughout the United States. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

For more information about the grant program please contact Congressman Higgins’ office at 852-3501.